Our Team

With backgrounds as educators, school administrators, business executives, and nonprofit leaders, our team has extensive experience in school leadership, learner-centered design, organization management, communication and more. We provide a unique match of experiences and passions that drive our work.

Who We Are

Getting Smart Collective Team

Aarika Guerrero

Communication Manager

Caroline Vander Ark

CEO

Jordan Luster

Program Manager

Marissa Wicklund

Advocacy Manager

Mason Pashia

Creative Director

Shawnee Caruthers

Vice President of Advocacy

Tatyana Njoroge

Executive Assistant

Getting Smart Team

Allison Brumley

Operations Associate

Jean Liu

Director of Strategy

Jessica Slusser

Vice President of Growth & Impact

Karen Vander Ark

CFO & Partner

Nate McClennen

Vice President of Strategy & Innovation

Rebecca Midles

Vice President of Learning Design

Tom Vander Ark

CEO & Partner

Victoria Andrews

Director of Learning Design

Getting Smart Collective Board of Directors

Byron Sanders

Arete Health

Edgar Palacios

Latinx Education Collaborative

Mike McGalliard

The Firebrand Company

Tom Vander Ark

Getting Smart

Fellows

Carri Schneider

Senior Fellow